The above Rob probably had the best LOI submission this year:

As good luck would have it, I fell upon word of this race whilst returning from a kayaking adventure within the Arctic and grasped that this rather long bicycle race is such stuff as dreams are made of, or, whence first hearing of this event should I condemn it as an improbable fiction?

Swift as a shadow, I put away the paddle and took up the challenge of locating a comfortable saddle

Why?  Well it sounded like a good show and it’s fun to pitch in and turn your hand to a new game

Planning to arrive at the Banff Springs Hotel with a lean and hungry look; getting the first week slowly under my belt; rising with the sun each morning, and thinking “what light through yonder window breaks?”

Why rush these first days of June, we have tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow

Progress- In the forests of Montana in the darking hour with little food we say “Up with my tent! Here will I lie tonight— but where to-morrow?”

In my minds eye I see the high passes of Colorado and blow blow thou winter wind and later I see this desert; this desert that lasts for ever and a day and keep in mind there shall be no more cakes and ale until I can count myself a king of infinite space and roll into civilization once again.

Into the final chapter and the game’s afoot, the race is on at last  - but soft, what light through yonder tent window breaks? … it is past time to rise and ride again.

During these 20+ days on the Divide, therein the patient must minister to himself and be not afraid of greatness.  I will be grateful to finish, knowing the course of true Tour Divide riding never does run smooth.

What 's done is done – at the end of the ride  - for you and I are past our racing days, it is time to hang up our shoes and reflect; can we fail? But screw your courage to the sticking place, and we'll not fail.

Rob Colliver (“The Islander”)
with assistance from William Shakespeare.

Matt, where are we picking up our rental Spots in Banff?

Thanks

YWCA Hostel front desk by noon Wednesday 6/8

...but after that just 'suck it up Princess'.

Finally, is there a way to confirm that my Spot is being picked up by HQ and will be blazing the trail for the first few days?

Rob, your SPOT is dialed in. We look forward to your call-in from Elkford for many reasons. Please email me your ITTD start time for Wednesday. Bonne chance!

Perhaps we can take Jay's suggestion of all carrying maps to heart in order to be ready to find ways around flooded rivers!

In my 20s i was much more whitewater kayaker than bike-racer so I've always LOVED riding the GDMBR during melt-off + lushness. Mostly it's been past-peak melt-off for the grand depart (until this year), so I will sorely miss the feeling of the creekside fireroads rumbling under the tires. Its going to feel so alive out there, even in all your sleep dep. I'm really going to miss it. Take lots of pics for us armchairs.

"unique year for sure, but at this point everyone will have an astrix next to there name".
what is this supposed to mean?

What Jay is trying to say is that this year's GC (save full-route biathletes) won't be included in the aggregate (historical) GC. It will be a unique, stand-alone set of results, just as last year's grand depart was due to fire detour. Nothing wrong with that, really. It's not about that is it? Its more personal, right? Divide racing was spoiled with pretty fair conditions for its first four seasons. This kind of stuff happens. As of late, the prize (from within the grand depart) has proven more difficult. But, I rather appreciate that elusiveness. As a challenger it has definitely frustrated me, but I now appreciate (all the more) what we had from `04-`07.

Huge daily SWE loss as of late. It's going to be juicy out there...and of course the progress comes just as the detours are announced: http://www.nnvl.noaa.gov/MediaDetail.php?MediaID=749&MediaTypeID=1

me thinks Abiquiui and Platoro

Reconnaissance on Indiana Pass was performed 10 days by Steve B. (Rec Specialist for Rio Grand FS district). He's currently touring the route from AW and may provide additional reports. He said the snowline there was about 10,800 or so. The correlations may not be perfect but he said Stunner Pass (Platoro) and Elwood / Summitville (Indiana Pass) should all be good to go by the time Nobos arrive.

Our CDT thru-hiker scout just got thru Cumbres Pass (NM border) and reports periodic snowbanks on Brazos Ridge, but only in the scattered fir stands.

Basically everything route-wise will be good to go (enough) so as to not significantly impact pace (save Elk Pass for Sobos), therefore the best way to expend final energy at this point is on logistics, like food/ water resupply contingencies, and your basic 'systems' like equipment, cues and such. No matter what, the personal experience is going to be brilliant for all of you, so keep zen about it. That is essential. TD is a mental race, and it doesn't even get going until about the half-way point. It's not called a grand tour for nothing. It's all about later selections--natural and otherwise. Can you make the metamorphosis? will you reach the chrysalis before breaking? Will you harden?

on FS road 206 just after lynx pass and then after hwy 134 if your sobo

If Rock Creek is too high to cross, which is doubtful by the time riders from either grand depart arrive there, it is permissable to go around on 134, however, only AFTER performing on the ground site inspection at the creek. Site inspection, plus the brief bypass will amount to a similar effort as fording it in the first place. Note: this creek is typically only as deep as it looks (and no more). Looking at the far side bank in that pic (thanks Dave) and knowing the drop from the pictured waterline to the normal waterline is only about 2.5 feet, i'd wager 8 feet is an exaggeration. I'd say neck high at the most. Lots of bushes down stream to rescue in. Not really a true hazard unless you cannot swim.

It looks as if we are in for a 30, 40, (60?) mile snow trek.  Does this sound like what we're in for to anyone else or am I just fearing the worst.  30, 40 miles is doable, but still mostly stupid.  Anything more and I just might consider starting in Roosville this year.

You guys are hitting the panic button again.

The point of the detours is to give all who want it, a sneak route. And honestly, I would probably take them all myself, too, so that I could race head-to-head against the bulk of the other Tour riders. Anyone who goes for the full route this year will probably achieve legend status. The tools of choice would indeed be skis, not snowshoes.

Can I offer a sense of what is really on the ground on the main route? It changes everyday. Sadly, at least one of the reroutes will probably be uneccessary by the time challengers arrive there, but the pack mentality clamors for a final route 3 weeks out. That's the pitfall of the grand depart over the micro-management of an ITT.

For main-routers, I would say it's going to be not as bad as one might think in the valleys and worse than one might expect on the passes. Think big slides blocking the road in places, and perhaps slides still poised to come. Suitable only for a true mountain man. A real expedition; food for two days at a time. Possibly very rewarding, but certainly lonely, and, at times, nonsensical.

RobinB is correct that there will be 8 miles of rotten snow starting at mile 60 and running all the way to the Tobermory cabin on Elk Rd. The scenery is stunning in here. It is the quintessential GDMBR pass, on the knife edge of the Divide. Hopefully it will help people suffer better. After this segment, there is nothing until 5-6 miles on the Stryker road detour into Upper Whitefish Lake. After that, there could be a mile or so on Crane Mtn south of Ferndale but really nothing until Sand Mtn (FR42) in northern Colorado.

John...where did you get that pic from?

i recognize it from here: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=13631637

Good urgings Toby. Trackleaders is a corporate CT member, so we're in good standing, but I would personally donate again (and again) if they started a 'promise fund' to redo Sargents Mesa segment with some (closed to moto) freshy singletrack. That might pull in nearly all CTR alum to donate / make the CT that much more 'amazing'.

With 5 weeks until the start of the Dixie, there remains 257% of normal snowpack in the Virgin River basin, and snow is in the forecast all week.  It's highly unlikely this will have any impact on the route and/or start date as it stands, but it does mean any further changes to the route are highly unlikely - since those changes I have in mind are over 10.5k' and require prior scouting.

Funny, I haven't heard folks saying much about greenhouse warming of late.

That area is really, really special. Would love to get back there someday without the Unimog. Dave, what I have read is, these late winters in the temperate zones are actually *caused* by global warming. He, go figure. Something about icecap melt offloading all the cold and moisture on the temperate zones.

Matthew:
I just emailed you the description from the Breck 100 that we used.  It is TD accurate.

Thanks Vance, yep, that's what I have too, just no mile markers For those lower Xings where it's easier to miss the 'faint' resumption of singletrack. The full beta for Gold Dust as integrated into the B100 can be viewed here: www.warriorscycling.com/courseMaps/B100-loop3-2010.pdf

I think it's going to be a nice addition to TD. For 2011 we have effectively increased the GDMBR singletrack quotient by 1,000%. Makes me really sad to think I won't be out there. My therapist is helping me cope pretty well. She's been on the job for 4 weeks now and already weighs nearly 10lbs!

When/where is the cue update for the Boreas pass alternative?
I know the GPX is up to date, but I'm not using a GPS.

Gold Dust trail is still buried under snow, so we haven't been able to 'cue it up' officially (with a cyclometer). I am working on a (back-up) loose descriptor with Breck locals (TD is an 'adventure race' after all, right?). They say it's pretty hard to get lost on Gold Dust. It is an established 'old flume' trail, signed at the two mid-descent fireroad crossings...and it pops out at the bottom of the mountain in downtown Como. When is doubt, go downhill! The key is not to miss the right turn onto the trail off Boreas Pass (just over the top of the pass by 100 meters or so). More in the 2011 Route email.

hey guys i am doing my cue sheets and just a dumb question if you don't mind helping me figure out. when i purchased the narratives and they are saved i get the following: "GDCanada A 2010" "GDCanada B 2010" "GDMBR 1A 2011" "GDMB 1B 2011" you can guess the remaining 10 files and how they are shown (2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, and so on). I am retyping them in an easy way for ME, but should i be using both GDCanada A and B? also, the GDMBR files from the boarder, what is the A and B? this is probably a dumb question but i am just doing everything i can to make navigating as straight forward as possible. i would appreciate any help. thanks!

The year obviously tells you what version of the map that cue file is from (ie, `09, 10, `11).

Be sure to keep each and every page of cues you carry very well labeled by Section, Map side, and even page number within that section, so that when you are shuffling paper in the field and you accidentally intermingle them, you can easily unmingle. Also helps to throw away (with confidence) the pages you no longer need.

Many will be in route as much as a week (or more) prior to the start.... i'm hoping final desicions are made about route changes at least that far out so that communication is never in doubt. this forum is great and email is good too... but when i'm on the road to the start it'll be too late for those communication tools.

Rob, sorry for the indecision. Just make sure you carry the Fernie Alternate and you should be pretty good. Here it is if you don't have it: https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?hl=en&hl=en&key=0AkjYTTBAyG5KdDVZRTlvdUhJZk9LZ0FITEZzaG43NFE&output=html

I am much more concerned about the commitment / remoteness, and low-ish position of humans on the food chain in the Canadian Flathead than I am Whitefish Divide.

X-post from another TD thread: http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,2104.msg19496.html#msg19496

Use this link to be processed with the discount: http://banffairporter.com/tour-divide/

My Banff Airporter Shuttle driver in 2005 took me out on the town the night arrived, put me up at his place, and BA has been taking good care of TD riders ever since.

[was]

Hi Matthew,

Could you expand on this reasoning a bit more?  It seems to me that no two years are ever exactly comparable, so why not simply say that those who follow the official track FOR THAT YEAR have "official" times for GC and record purposes?  After all, the "Fernie Alternate" was the official track a few years ago and the route changes year to year in both road conditions (paving, deterioration) and routing.  This is before even considering advances in equipment over previous years.  Just wondering!

Bob

Bob, I'd rather not get into a debate over it until more is known about a plan, but suffice it to say there may be two 'legal' tracks of vastly different difficulty in play for 2011. The hiccup, IMO is not so much year-to-year comparisons.

The Fernie alternate is nearly all pavement. It changes not, in a high snow year. The Flathead is a whole different story. It's all dirt, contains 2 fords, an extended hike-a-bike and 3 passes over 6K. The discrepancy will be the greatest ever in 2011.

Already numerous riders have stated they intend to trudge through the Flathead no matter what. The big question is whether TD, which for all intents and purposes is simply an 'academy' of Divide racing, would be acting responsibly to mandate riders take the Flathead or be relegated. As much as i always prefer black & white, my inclination is towards a softer solution for this case...

[so make sure you carry the ACA cue narrative for the Fernie alternate]

Hey Matthew,

Thanks for all that you are doing for the race despite the new kiddo and all. When can we expect that the TD will make the final decision about the Fernie alternate (and other changes)? I'm only asking because I will be traveling sans computer/electronics and I therefore will not be able to change any tracks in my GPS once I leave for Banff.

Pops, we understand this dilemma and it's unfortunate. Information / TD advice about pass-ability may be in limbo as late as days before the grand depart. Why? We want very much for all challengers to have the chance to log an official TD time; one that can count towards the historical GC. Two years in a row without any official times will suck (fire detour last year).

We are not as concerned about getting a track to folks for the Fernie Alternate (if we decide to make it a permissible detour). It's an official ACA alternate on the Canada map. It is a straightforward alternate (mostly paved) to the border. No one should be racing on GPS alone, so make sure you carry the ACA cue narrative for the Fernie alternate. The second area TD may permit a detour is just south of Eureka, MT. We are hoping to make a call on it as soon as possible. It is also a fairly straightforward bypass. More by the end of the week.

Ha, If I was doing the TDR Banff start this yr right about now I would be prep’ing a S-N back up data cheat sheet.  This looks to be great S-N yr

Do I detect a slight resentment in your humor for losing the right to say you raced the most epic snow edition ever? SoBos should def. get a patch this year.

Not to fear, though. TD is prepared to legalize the ACA Fernie Alternate as a way to lessen the blow. It doesn't mean riders can't travel the main race route throughout, only that TD will not DQ a rider who opts around the Flathead.

...southern Whitefish range.  The details of that drainage aren't exactly comparable to Red Meadow, but it should be noted that I had snowshoes on all the way down to 4000'.  Below 4000' all the snow was gone.

4K' is pretty spot on with Grave Creek / Trail Creek in the northern end, as well as the west side of Red Meadow--hard to say about the back side. Big thanks to local bikepacker Todd Tanner at IRideAdventures.com for scouting for us. All are snowmachine routes, which makes coverage stick around longer. Severity of slides are an unknown too. Those passes top out at about 55/5600. Galton, just into Canada, is 6K, so it too will be pretty challenging. It peaks sharply. Coverage will be shorter distance-wise and steeper.

Mild cooling trend on the way for NW MT with great uncertainty about the long range forecast models. Flathead River's projected crest at the US border has been pushed back about 5 days to approx. 6/7.